Ex-diplomats to be part of Wisma Putra consultative council

Saifuddin Abdullah says a similar plan under the previous government had failed to take off.

Saifuddin Abdullah says the Pakatan Harapan government will encourage more participation in the law-making process.

SHAH ALAM: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to set up a new council made up of former diplomats and experts of international relations, as part of the government’s approach towards consultation.

“There is a wealth of experience from former ambassadors and experts in certain fields including Middle East experts, Southeast Asia experts, and European experts,” Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told a forum today.

He said the Pakatan Harapan government would encourage more participation in the law-making process, saying it was something former prime minister Najib Razak had attempted to do when he set up the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) which included then opposition MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

Saifuddin, who was then in Umno, was also part of NUCC.

“We attempted to get the people’s opinion regarding the formulation of a National Harmony Act and we received good feedback on how we could set up the law including models in other countries we could look at,” he said.

“Unfortunately, our efforts were in vain as it was hijacked by those who did not truly understand the discourse that was taking place and found the topics of Malays and Islam too sensitive.” -----FMT